President Reagan’s daughter opposes Hinckley’s release; so does secret service agent

The Associated Press

Published 4:06 pm, Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

In this Nov. 18, 2003, file photo, John Hinckley Jr. arrives at U.S. District Court in Washington. A judge says Hinckley, who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, will be allowed to leave a Washington mental hospital and live full-time in Virginia. less

In this Nov. 18, 2003, file photo, John Hinckley Jr. arrives at U.S. District Court in Washington. A judge says Hinckley, who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, will be allowed to leave a ... more

Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File

President Reagan’s daughter opposes Hinckley’s release; so does secret service agent

President Ronald Reagan’s daughter is criticizing a judge’s decision to allow the release of John Hinckley Jr. from the psychiatric hospital where he’s been confined for more than 35 years after he tried to assassinate Reagan.

Patti Davis says in a lengthy statement on her website that she will “forever be haunted” by the day her father almost died in 1981.

Davis says she believes in forgiveness. But she says forgiving someone doesn’t mean letting them “loose in Virginia to pursue whatever dark agendas they may still hold dear.”

Davis also says she’s not surprised by the decision, but says her “heart is sickened.”

A judge ruled Wednesday that Hinckley is no longer a danger and can live full-time with his mother in Virginia.

___

1:00 p.m.

A former Secret Service agent who took John Hinckley Jr. into custody after Hinckley shot President Ronald Reagan says a court’s decision to allow the man to live full time in the community is disappointing.

Danny Spriggs, who now works for The Associated Press, called the shooting the most “horrific incident” of his career. Spriggs said he believes Hinckley should remain under close scrutiny in a mental institution.

Hinckley shot Reagan and three others in 1981. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. A judge ruled Wednesday that he’s no longer a danger and can live full-time with his mother in Virginia.

Spriggs spent nearly three decades with the Secret Service. He now works as vice president of global security for The AP.

___

12:20 p.m.

The foundation honoring President Ronald Reagan’s legacy says it “strongly opposes” the release of John Hinckley Jr. from the psychiatric hospital where he’s been confined for more than 35 years.

Hinckley shot Reagan and three others, including presidential press secretary James Brady, in 1981. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. A judge ruled Wednesday that Hinckley is no longer a danger and can live full-time with his mother in Virginia.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute issued a statement Wednesday that read, in part, “Contrary to the judge’s decision, we believe John Hinckley is still a threat to others and we strongly oppose his release.”

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump also called it a “mistake” to release Hinckley, whom he misidentified as “David Hinckley.”